‘Confident’ Congress says not contesting for silver medal in Varanasi

Varanasi: With Rahul Gandhi’s roadshow receiving a good response in the holy city, the Congress on Saturday claimed ‘100 percent’ success for its nominee Ajai Rai and dismissed suggestions that it is fighting for a ‘silver medal’ in Varanasi.

When asked how much confidence the Congress has about the success of Rai, who is taking on BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “100 percent chance...I am not bothered who is our competitors. We are just here to campaign for our party and see the success of our candidate.”

“That might be between BJP and Kejriwal. So far as Congress party is concerned, we are fighting this election to win,” he added when asked whether the Congress is fighting for a silver medal.

Azad further said the Congress party is seeking support from all sections of society in Varanasi.

Azad said it is not for the first time Rahul is coming to Varanasi.

"He had held a road show in 2004 Parliament elections and in subsequent Assembly polls also he had held roadshows here. This is third or fourth time, Rahul Gandhi is holding roadshow in Varanasi," he said.

Another party leader Raj Babbar in an obvious dig at Modi and Kejriwal said that those who gathered in the roadshow were all local people and no one has been brought from outside.